Overview
New Echota, founded in 1825, was the first and final capitol of the "unified" Cherokee Nation. The park, now a Georgia Historical Site, is located just off Interstate 75 on highway 225, about an hour north of Atlanta. Here, in what quickly became a bustling little town, hopes of a sovereign government for the Cherokee were both nurtured, then extinguished. Here is where the leaders of a nation of proud immigrants signed a treaty that surrendered their land to a new breed of immigrants. Yes, you read that right; the Cherokee were immigrants.

It is believed that the Cherokee migrated from the north and nudged the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to the south and west. The Cherokee migrated south for the same reasons so many other northerners do: a warmer climate, and seemingly abundant natural resources (and a retreat from the European invasion). In 1825, the well armed and aggressive European immigrants were moving south at a rapid pace.

The landscape and structures of New Echota capture a key period in the history of the Cherokee. A place where they almost overcame (or assimilated). They had a government very similar to the United States: a constitution, a written language, and, as a nation, a relative amount of wealth. There were those that opposed their "progress" and newly adopted European characteristics. The opposition came from the newly-formed state of Georgia, the US government,  and a good number of the Cherokee themselves. When the "friendly" European visitors discovered gold within Cherokee territory, the onslaught began. The end to any hope of peacefully coexisting with the white settlers was near.

To make a long story short, the Cherokee leaders signed a treaty that either forsook their brethren, or the chieftains sacrificed their own lives for the sake of their people. They were outnumbered and outgunned. What choice did they have? President Andrew Jackson had ignored the Supreme Court's decision to let the Cherokee keep their land, and it would be taken either by force or coercion.

The Cherokee opponents of the treaty retaliated quite violently. The endorsers of the "Treaty of New Echota" were assassinated. The remaining Cherokee were removed. Within ten years of the proud founding of a capitol city, the Cherokee were gone. The endorsers of the "Treaty of New Echota" were assassinated, and the balance of Cherokee were marched West to Oklahoma. 

The march west eventually became known as the Trail of Tears. Women, children, and the elderly were forced to walk much of the way. The cruel cold of winter took about 4,000 of the 15,000 remaining Cherokee. A once proud nation was suddenly silenced. Today, New Echota is an echo of the best of times, and a reminder of the tragic end of a legacy.

Visiting New Echota evokes a range of emotions from amazement and admiration to sorrow and shame. It's a place you must visit if at all possible. It's a history that must not be forgotten.

Unfortunately, New Echota, like all of Georgia's state parks, has suffered severe budget cuts. Unless you visit during an event like Frontier Day, you might not be able to tour some of  the buildings. You certainly will not see the demonstrations. Volunteers are doing their best to keep as much of the site open as often as possible.
Currently (October 2011) the operating hours are like this:
Hours: Thursday-Saturday / 9AM-5PM
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Note: The Cherokee were but one tribe of Native Americans evicted from their land in the 1830's. For information about the Creek Nation's Trail of tears, click here.

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Adventure Journal
Entry Date: October 2009
We once again attended the annual Frontier Day at New Echota. The weather was cool and clear, and the activities were as good as last year. Various artisans and history lovers were strategically scattered around the site demonstrating their skills and exhibiting their handywork.

Mr. Le was once again demonstrating flint knapping, but he was also teaching the kids how to throw a spear as well. In the print shop, a man was showing how to set type and print a sheet. Each of the kids got a freshly printed copy of the Cherokee Phoenix, the first newspaper in the region, and the first to utilize the Cherokee's new alphabet.

Once again, the kids enjoyed the games and challenges of spear and tomahawk throwing, and archery. It was a beautiful day enjoyed by all.

The Richardson Tribe

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Watch for events: Special Events Coming Soon!
Features	Rating (1-10)	Description
Official website	9	Georgia's State Parks website is very well done. As usual, more pictures would be great!
Places to camp near New Echota and Calhoun, Georgia	8	Fort Mountain State Park, Red Top Mountain State Park, McKinney Campground, Doll Mountain Campground, KOA of Calhoun, Salacoa Creek Park
Hiking	6	There are a couple of short trails, but most of your walking will be through the large field that once housed the village homes and shops.
Visitor Center/museum	8	The museum is small but informative. The people working there are very nice and helpful. If you suspect or know of any Cherokee Ancestors, they can probably help you considerably
Geocaching	9	There is a Geocache near here that is very interesting. It's in an old Cherokee cemetery that hosts the tomb of Pathkiller, the principle chief (in title only) of the Cherokee from 1811 to 1827. I should point out that Pathkiller also has a grave in Alabama. I'm not sure which is the right one.
Local Attractions	9	Rome, Tellus Museum, Booth Western Art Museum, Fort Mountain State Park, Red Top Mountain State Park, McKinney Campground, Doll Mountain Campground, Lake Allatoona, Carters Lake, and much more.
*Note: We rate only the amenities we have personally reviewed. No financial consideration or favor has been received for listing in PB&J Adventures' website. We are in no way affiliated with this facility or any other facility we review. Any paid advertising seen on this site was arranged after the destination was reviewed. You can trust the reviews to be unbiased.

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October 2011

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October 2009






October 2008